The New York Knicks continue to struggle as they lost their sixth game in a row, and ninth in their last ten, when they were defeated by the Charlotte Bobcats, 114-106 last night. With Toney Douglas and Shawne Williams joining Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Chauncey Billups, the Knicks held an early 12-8 lead with 9:08 left in the first quarter, but that would be their biggest lead of the game.

The Bobcats took the lead for good on a Matt Carroll jumper with 11:32 left in the second quarter, 32-31, and would stretch the lead to 20 by the third quarter, 75-55, on a three pointer by Boris Diaw.

The Knicks would claw back, cutting the lead to 110-106 with 1:34 left in the fourth quarter, on one of two free throws by Landry Fields, but the Knicks were unable to score again.

Anthony sounded puzzled after the game. “For the most part, these are teams we should be beating. Some of these teams shouldn’t even be on the court with us. But they’re winning games and it’s just something we have to figure out.”

Billups elaboated more. “We’ve got a lot of talent, but as you know, talent isn’t everything. Camaraderie and cohesiveness and being a good team beats talent every day of the week. When we get to a point where we get that, combined with the talent, we’re going to be a very dangerous team. Our defense is what’s going to make or break us, I believe.”

Anthony led the Knicks with 36 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Billups added 14 points and 10 assists. Stoudemire scored 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and blocked 4 shots, while Landry Fields scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds coming off the bench for the first time in his career. Sheldon Williams scored 10 points and grabbed 9 rebounds off the bench as well.

This game wasn’t lost on the offensive end, however, as the Knicks gave up 114 points to a team that is next to last in scoring, averaging 93.1 on the season.

The Knicks will attempt to end the losing streak when they host the Orlando Magic Monday in a game that was rescheduled from November 2, 2010, after debris fell from the ceiling at Madison Square Garden.